Today we have an interview featuring Michael Small, author of Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and Gods! See the interview below, along with further information on the novel and Michael!
Interview
Who are your biggest writing influences, and why?
My biggest writing influences are probably JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien, and even Daniel Handler, AKA Lemony Snicket. I incorporated elements of Tolkien and Handler into my story, such as writing my story as if it were real history, like Tolkien did with The Lord of the Rings, and I made my narrator be a humorous figure who has a history with the protagonists, like Handler did with Lemony Snicket in A Series of Unfortunate Events. I also took inspiration from Eiichiro Oda of One Piece fame in creating unique powers for my characters.
Your first novel is a young adult/science fiction story. What do you like about these genres in particular for your storytelling?
What I’m more drawn to is the hero’s journey archetype. I like stories of grand adventure from humble beginnings to epic climaxes, and I love the growth characters have over the course of the journey. I had a sci-fi setting in mind not so much that I was a big fan (I’m more into fantasy books), but I thought it would fit the story I had in mind, like Star Wars, as I made my story more of a Space Fantasy than hard sci-fi.
Your story features a reptilian race of beings, the Reptuuls. Why did you choose a reptilian species? Was there something in particular about reptiles that drew you to create these beings in your world?
Simply put, I think reptiles are cool. They’re such fascinating creatures, and I love reptilian monsters in fiction. I think they can be both cute and lovable, while menacing and tough. I always wanted to make them heroes, because I think the idea of heroic reptilians would make for a fun story.
Tell us a little about the inspiration for your main character, Orren. Do you relate to him on some levels?
I relate to Orren on many levels. I wrote him after how I imagine I would act in this kind of story, where a young boy meets an imposing alien/monster race and befriends them. Though he is optimistic and brave in many parts of my story, I incorporated some of my anger issues, fears, and biases I tend to have in real life, so he’s not some goody two shoes Christian boy.
What are your plans for future books at the moment?
My plan is to make more books in the Kuro-Sil series. Since this book is told where the characters of Orren, Kor’Ba, and Ti’Ran already know each other, I want to tell the full story of how they met, and their further quests to end the war and unite their species under God. I don’t know how long it will take, but hopefully I can get the next book out soon.
Tell us a little about the experience of seeing your first book in print, and what that meant to you.
It was really surreal. I spent so much time editing this story that I honestly never thought I’d see it come to completion. Holding the finished book and seeing the incredible cover art by the talented JustCallMeInsane, and the words I poured endlessly over in my hands was unlike anything else I have ever experienced in my life.
What do you find to be the most difficult aspects about being an indie author?
The most difficult part was working alone. I wanted some other people to help me finish my book for a long time, but I was too scared and self conscious of my work to do it. It wasn’t until I hired my editor Stephen Zimmer that I finally gained the backbone to finally finish the book earlier this year, and even that took a while.
What do you like about being an indie author in the world of book publishing today?
The nice thing about being independent is not worrying about any publishing houses and being my own boss. I want to tell my story my own way, and I don’t want to change it to conform for any modern demands they may force me into. However, I still need to build up my own platform on social media, so hopefully I get that figured out.
What kind of experience do you want readers to have with your stories, or, worded a little differently, what do you want readers to get out of them?
There are a few things. One, I hope people fall in love with my characters. The relationship I built up between Orren, Kor’Ba, and Ti’Ran is something very near and dear to me, and I hope readers get the same enjoyment out of it as I did writing it. We need new stories and characters, after all, and I hope these will stay with people long after they’ve read it. Two, I hope people get some sense of joy that in my story, God is still in control, even if an alien race is seeking our destruction, and that there is hope for humanity in the future, whether they’re Christian or not. I truly hope this story can reach across some aisles to bring people together, regardless of belief, for something new, and for anyone who reads this interview, thank you so much for giving me a chance. Please enjoy “Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God”.
About Michael:
Michael Small didn’t plan on becoming an author. He initially wanted to be a video game programmer, though he couldn’t wrap his head around the subject. But he always had a story to tell, and seeing how woke messaging had started infesting modern entertainment, he dropped out of college in 2016 and taught himself how to write, spending the years since creating his own world, which became his debut novel Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God.
Michael is a Christian and goes to church regularly, using his faith to inspire his stories. He is also an avid gamer, and has been playing video games since he was three. He mainly likes pop culture stuff like movies, tv, and more recently manga, but he likes to try many things, like going on walks and drives, and working out (though he’s not a pro at it).
He is currently thirty years old and lives in Washington state.Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.
Website: https://thekuro-silchronicles.com/
X App (Formerly Twitter): @officialkurosil
Book Synopsis for Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God:
I am the Chronicler, hear my story:
In the year 5027, humanity will be enslaved by an alien race called the Reptuuls.
But what if I told you a young boy befriended their oppressors?
Orren Hawkins is a boy with a dream: to make friends with the Reptuuls, no matter the cost. It won’t be easy due to the Reptuuls hatred of humanity. But by the grace of a long forgotten God, Orren has found two great and unusual friends, and they must learn to work together to rescue enslaved humans, as part of their destiny to unite man and Reptuul under God.
There’s just one problem: Orren is himself a drulak, a slave of Reptuuls. Can he still accomplish his dream?
Will you dare read the true story of a forbidden friendship no government wants exposed? Then welcome, one and all, to the legend of the Kuro-Sil!
Purchase links for Kuro-Sil: The Book of Humans, Reptuuls, and God:
Print Link: https://www.amazon.com/Kuro-Sil-Book-Humans-Reptuuls-God/dp/B0D8GF49FS/
eBook Link: https://www.amazon.com/Kuro-Sil-Book-Humans-Reptuuls-God-ebook/dp/B0D8MDGZN8/
Tour Schedule and Activities:
10/14 Tami Wylie https://www.instagram.com/bookaddict.twylie68 Review
10/14 Holly Brinsford (BooksCoveredHB) https://www.bookscoveredhb.wordpress.com Review
10/14 The Fantasy Princess https://thefantasyprincess.blogspot.com/ Guest Post
10/15 The Seventh Star Blog https://www.theseventhstarblog.com Author Interview
10/16 Julian Finholm Podcast interview
10/17 Jeanette Jensen https://www.instagram.com/lady_j_reads/ Review
10/18 Sapphyria’s Books https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/ Guest Post
10/19 David Brockway https://www.instagram.com/fatguyreading Review
10/20 Yvette Garcia https://www.instagram.com/yvettes_book_shelf Review